Over the next year, the Mercer Island City Council will tackle important issues, including how to address anticipated deficits in the city’s General Fund and Youth and Family Services Fund, how to spend the $10.1 million the city received from Sound Transit to address traffic and mobility issues and where to site the Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA).

The council needs members who are knowledgeable about these issues and can tackle them at full speed during the next term.

This is why we endorse Benson Wong for Council Position No. 6.

Wong has made continuing the council’s work with traffic enhancements, engaging the public in that process and ensuring the city spends the $10.1 million wisely among his top priorities during the next term. His knowledge and work already on the council are a plus. He is concerned about making the Town Center a more commercially important area that better serves Islanders, and told us he would push a process that will involve exploring opportunities with the community during the next four years including finding the right cite for MICA.

Wong has the depth of experience the Island needs to navigate these issues. That’s why we encourage you to vote for Wong for Council Position 6.

For City Council Position No. 4, we endorse Joy Langley.

With a background in public affairs, Langley will bring a collaborative and tactful approach to handling issues — skills that are imperative in this leadership position.

Langley is passionate about Mercer Island and is committed to the community. She is currently chair of the MI Arts Council and has served in various roles with the Mercer Island Preschool Association and Football Club, and the co-vice president of Advocacy for the West Mercer Elementary PTSA.

Langley is personable and her experience, diplomacy and connections to other leaders throughout the region will serve Mercer Island well.

In the coming year, our council and community will be wrestling to find fresh answers to questions about the best ways to stretch every dollar. Langley said her top priority would be fixing the city’s “financial house” while maintaining the Island’s level of service. Her relationships both on and off the Island can open new conversations and possibilities not only as we address fiscal issues, but as we find solutions to transportation and parking challenges, and to properly citing MICA, as well.